Education Notes
Cape Coral
11th Annual Fall Kids Festival
The Harney Point Kiwanis Club and Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department present the 11th Annual Fall Kids Festival from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Jaycee Park. Free admission. A canned food donation for the Cape Coral Caring Center is appreciated. For information, call 573-3122 or visit: www.fallkidsfestival.com.
Rotary Park Environmental Center
The Rotary Park Environmental Center, 5505 Rose Garden Road, presents:
– Oct. 30: School’s out nature camp, for ages 8-14, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. A day of hands-on learning, fun and adventure as children explore the nature park and learn about plants, bugs and creatures. Cost is $30 for residents and $45 for non-residents.
For information or to register, call 549-4606 or visit: www.capeparks.com.
Haunted Hike and Safe Trick or Treat
Mike Greenwell’s Family Park presents the Haunted Hike on Friday-Saturday, Wednesday and Oct. 29-31 at 35 Pine Island Road N. The cost is $10. There also will be a Safe Trick or Treat from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 30. Dress in costume and bring a goodie bag. This is a free event for children 12 and under. A donation of pet food and supplies will be accepted for LCHS and ARC. For information, call 574-4306.
Little Karate Kids
Little Karate Kids, for ages 3-5, is held from 6:45-7:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Court. The traditional Japanese Karate-Do program teaches concentration, coordination and self-discipline in a format that makes learning fun. The cost is $45 for residents and $50 for non-residents. A uniform is not included but can be purchased from the instructor. Pre-registration required. For information or to register, call 574-0804 or visit: www.CapeParks.com.
Sounds of Florida Chorus
The Sounds of Florida Chorus meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the chorus room of Cape Coral Methodist Church, 4116 Coronado Blvd. The chorus sings a variety of music in four parts. No auditions are necessary. Tapes are provided to help members learn each part. For information, call Dick Knapik at 542-045.
Cape Coral Arts Studio
There is still time to sign up for fall classes at the Cape Coral Arts Studio, 4533 Coronado Parkway. Mini-classes will start Nov. 16-Dec. 19. Register early for classes in the fine arts and fine crafts for adults and youths. Popular adult classes include beginning clay, watercolor and oil/acrylic painting, glass beadmaking, PMC, wire wrapped jewelry, silversmithing, glass fusing, beaded jewelry design, gemstone polishing, digital and abstract photography. Youth classes include drawing essentials, cartooning, and draw/paint. Supplies for all classes can be purchased at the supply store. For information or to register, call 574-0802 or visit: www.CapeParks.com.
Martial Arts Training Institute
The Martial Arts Training Institute, a state-registered nonprofit organization offering martial arts training for youths and adults, has set its 2009-10 school year day camp schedule. The next starting dates are Oct. 29 and Nov. 11, 25 and 27. It also offers a women’s self-defense class for free. The class meets from 1-2:30 p.m. Sundays at 1490 N.E. Pine Island Road. For information, call 322-7003 or 673-7740.
Business & Industry Services
Business & Industry Services presents:
– Today: Using the Internet at the Lee County Public Education Center, 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Cost is $45.
– Friday: Time Management for Social Media from 9 a.m.-noon at the Lee County Public Education Center, 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Cost is $45.
– Monday-Tuesday: Intro to Computers at the Lee County Public Education Center, 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Cost is $60.
– Wednesday: Vista at the Lee County Public Education Center, 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Cost is $45
For information or to register, call 939-6320 or e-mail JoanneLO@leeschools.net.
Fort Myers
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University presents the following:
– Oct. 29: “Songs and Arias” faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. at the Student Union Ballroom. Event is free and open to the public. For information, contact Jeanie Darne at 590-7548.
FMPD’s Explorer Post 55 promotions
The Fort Myers Police Department’s Explorer Post 55 announce the newly promoted Explorer command staff as Chief Sarah Harris, Lt. Mike Casella, Sgt. Joe Gold and Sgt. Justin Burner. The post was established in 1973 and is a branch of the Boy Scouts of America. This year’s post will host the Florida Association of Police Explorers Delegates meeting, which involves posts from all over the state coming to Fort Myers to participate in training exercises. The post has also taken on the task of hosting the state competition that will bring approximately 300 Explorers from around the state to compete in June. For information, call Officer Athena Mitchell at 321-7700.
After School Arts Program
The Alliance for the Arts has created an After School Arts Program for students seeking supplementary instruction in visual and performing arts classes. The program is offered for students in first through eighth grade and runs through Dec. 18 in coordination with the school year calendar. Bus routes will stop at the Alliance for the Arts, on the corner of Colonial Boulevard and McGregor Boulevard. Pick-up time for parents will be 6 p.m. Students who do not attend public school are invited to attend. For information or to enroll, contact Scott Guelcher at 939-2787 or e-mail education@artinlee.org.
Calusa Nature Center, Planetarium
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers, presents:
– Mondays-Thursdays: Manatee encounters, a multi-media show, at 11:50 a.m.
– Tuesdays: Guided walks at 9:30 a.m.
– Tuesdays: Solar observing at 11 a.m.
– Fridays: Guided walks at 9:30 a.m.
– Fridays: Insect explorations at noon.
– Sundays: Snake feeding at 11:15 a.m.
– First Sunday of every month: Dog Day Sunday from 4-6 p.m. Cost is $5 per dog for non-members and $2 per dog for members. Owners are free.
– Today-Oct. 31: Haunted Walk from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for non-member adults, $6 for non-member children 12 and under, $5 for member adults and $3 for member children 12 and under. Halloween night admission is $12 for non-member adults and children, and $6 for member adults and children. The event may not be suitable for young children.
– Saturday-Sunday and Oct. 31: 11th annual Friendly Forest. Trick-or-Treat from 3-6 p.m. An opportunity for families with younger children to get into the Halloween spirit without bringing the little ones to tears. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-12. Half-price admission for members. Volunteers needed. For details on volunteering, e-mail Friendlyforet@calusanature.org.
– Tuesday: Pre-school program, What I See at Night, at 11 a.m. What animals come out at night? Children must be between the ages of 3 and 5. Register by Monday at 275-3435.
For information, call 275-3435 or visit: www.CalusaNature.org.
Call for artists
ArtFest Fort Myers announces a call for artists for the high school art competition and exhibit, Art Under 20. The special feature is located in the heart of ArtFest, set for Feb. 6-7. A large gallery tent provides the opportunity for participating students to exhibit their artwork in a professional setting to 55,000 ArtFest patrons. Cash prizes totaling $6,000 will be awarded to student competition winners. Call 768-3602, e-mail info@ArtFestFortMyers or visit: www.ArtFestFortMyers.com.
Sanibel
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
Florida Gulf Coast University invites aspiring writers to attend the Sanibel Island Writers Conference Nov. 3-8 at Big Arts on Sanibel Island. Cost is $350, which includes all workshops, panels, lectures and readings. Registration limited. Registration forms available online at: http//www.fgcu.edu/siwc/.